South County Transportation Update 

By SUPERVISOR PAT BATES
Ladera Times

Relieving South County Freeway Chokepoints

As a result of discussions with the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the Oso Parkway/I-5 interchange improvements project is on target for accelerated funding by the CTC this June. My office has worked diligently with Caltrans to ensure this project remains a top priority for the Commission with no further delays. I’m also pleased to report that Caltrans is now beginning improvements at the intersection of the southbound I-5/Crown Valley Parkway off-ramp. Construction should be completed by the end of the year.

This project proposes to widen the southbound off-ramp at the Crown Valley Parkway intersection. Currently, the off-ramp has 2 left-turn and 2 right-turn lanes. The project will add a third dedicated left turn lane for motorists traveling eastbound on Crown Valley Parkway as well as 4-foot shoulders and a concrete retaining wall on each side of the ramp. Once the new lane is added, an additional 400 vehicles will be able to move through the intersection each hour than presently can, relieving congestion on the off-ramp as well as the freeway.

Crown Valley Traffic Relief Project

As part of the ongoing construction on the north side of Crown Valley Parkway, the outside westbound lane between Marguerite Parkway and Puerta Real will be closed periodically in June between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to facilitate construction of the new westbound lane.
 
In addition, the southbound right turn lane on Marguerite Parkway to westbound Crown Valley Parkway will be closed continuously during construction of the new right turn lane. Both the new westbound lane on Crown Valley Parkway and the new southbound right turn lane on Marguerite Parkway are expected to be completed by the end of June. The median and parkway landscaping improvements are expected to be completed by the end of August. Every effort will be made to minimize impacts to residents, businesses and motorists throughout this and all phases of construction.

241 Toll Road Update

As Fifth District Supervisor, I also sit on the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Boards of Directors. On February 6, the California Coastal Commission considered TCA’s application for a Coastal Consistency Certification. The project triggered federal consistency review because it requires a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, the Coastal Commission voted against the 241 Toll Road project. TCA remains committed to completing this project and filed an appeal to the Secretary of Commerce, requesting the Coastal Commission vote be overturned. The appeal will likely be resolved in late 2008.

In the meantime, all endangered species and wildlife permits for the 241 Toll Road are now complete. Most recently, the California Department of Fish and Game issued a Streambed Alteration Agreement, approving all the measures TCA will implement to protect fish and wildlife resources during construction and operation of the roadway. In early May, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued a Biological Opinion, confirming that the road will comply with the Endangered Species Act. These permits represent remarkable and positive progress for the project. For more information, please visit www.RelieveTraffic.org.